Archive for the 'DC comics geek-up' Category

More and more DC reboots are popping out of the press as the company ushers in its new era. After Justice League # 1, more of the iconic titles like Action Comics and Detective Comics follow suit. Here are some quick reviews for the long awaited reboot books.

Action Comics # 1

After years of existence, Superman has finally returned to his roots. In the Grant Morrison written reboot, Superman is a good-hearted angst-filled alien-slash-hero. He has the purest intentions to help people but none whatsoever to play friends with the government. The Justice League angle of heroes being feared works well for the alien of steel. For a superhero alien you’d expect there’s a level of unfamiliarity or at least some semblance of distance from Superman and the humans. Grant Morrison penned an opener that clearly laid out the character premise set against future and current conflicts like let’s say Lex Luthor. Pick this up for sheer cover-to-end fun.

Detective Comics # 1

A detective is only as good as his mystery. And did Tony Daniel give Batman a Joker mystery. Tony Daniel’s Batman might be a too chatty, perhaps he was trying to establish some of Bruce Wayne’s character for the new readers. But Joker on the merit of his insanity alone should get his own book. SPOILER: Heroes hide their faces with a mask, Joker changes his face to hide his. Get this one and stick to it.

Red Hood and the Outlaws # 1

To be blunt, this book fails as an intro piece. Red Hood is Bruce Wayne’s fallen Robin and in this book he leads a druggie Green Arrow protégé in Ron Harper and sexually charged alien, Firestar. The writer, Scott Lobdell, seems to have forgotten that we are now in the 21st century and no longer in the 90s. It’s like X-Force all over again. But Red Hood’s character is one rich in back story and is a moving piece of the Batman family in the recent years. If he properly taps into this, Lobdell will surely have a winner. I’m still not so sold on Starfire being, uh, sexually…charged. Ron Harper will be Red Hood’s foil/friend and that will eventually find its way in the story. The concept of reluctant-renegade heroes still is intriguing and the art is really great. These are very good reasons to keep an eye on this title. But right now, it feels like Y tu mama tambien with powers or even worse Melrose Place with guns.

Note: Catwoman # 1 is as racy, if not racier than this book.

Green Lantern # 1

Did the Ryan Reynolds’ Green Lantern movie disappoint you? You’re in luck. This book won’t. Of all the DC reboots, the Green Lantern title feels like the one that smoothly transitions from the old universe. And yet, it’s reader friendly. The story begins with Hal Jordan, the iconic Green Lantern, with no ring and Sinestro being bestowed with a Green Lantern ring. The fall of Hal Jordan channels a little bit of Tony Stark’s bad days. But this is a great conflict to hook new readers. Showing the lead down and out while his obvious rival is on the rise. The scenes might be too slow since ring slinging is kept to a minimum. But fear not, with Geoff Johns writing you can expect action to come your way soon. Buy the book and stick to it.

With 52 books coming out, DC will certainly hit many good spots as well as bad ones. A comic fan can be thankful that DC is taking its chances to boost not only their stock but the industry’s as well. Keep buying, stop downloading.

Super heroes band together to fight menacing threats. But for DC’s rebooted universe’s Justice League, they come together to fight bad economy – the steady decline of comic book sales. In order to curb this downtrend, DC rebooted the continuity for the nth time to attract new readers. 52 comic books were reset so that new readers can catch up. The banner title of the set, Justice League, was the first to come hot off the press.

The book boasts of Green Lantern master storyteller, Geoff Johns and 90’s wonder talent, Jim Lee. The team of creators in itself is an intriguing entry point for avid fans. Johns brings to the table an evolved comic book story telling style while Jim Lee harkens to the awesomeness of bursting muscles and bust lines of the 90s.

The way Justice League book 1 rolls out is an intriguing choice for launching the entire DC Universe Reboot. It features a flashback that shows some of the League’s major characters and one, Cyborg, seemingly coming out of the woodworks. And immediately, you’ll get a feel that this Justice League is not the team of the yesteryears. The heroes are not fully embraced as shown in how Batman and Green Lantern got acquainted. Their mini-adventure leads to the duo in Metropolis and encounters the inevitable – Superman.

Justice League book 1 is a topsy-turvy ride. It had its moments and then some. It’s written in an open way that it can divide readers. Some might find it intriguing that there are a lot of openings for future opportunities. Some might find it lacking for not having that sense of purpose in the plot. Despite it being only the first book, one might find it hard to grasp why is there a need for a collage of super powered beings. The threat of Dark Seid is an instant hook for old readers. But it’s hardly any cause of concern for new ones. It still doesn’t have the singular message that Marvel’s Avengers hold on to – When one hero cannot defeat a greater menace, they assemble. Geoff Johns missed out on the opportunity to seed a Justice League credo. Here’s to thinking that there is a greater purpose to that but this is your first book, open with a bang.

A good point of the book is the inclusion of Cyborg. He’s never been on a Justice League team before. And in a poetic way, he represents the new readers. Perhaps he is part of the team to help give readers the affinity to keep them hooked.

The first book is a fun start. But it needs to show seeds of piquing the human interest to bring in the new readers. This is what Marvel does best. Using their movies, they strike a chord in the people’s emotion. Thus bringing the characters closer to heart and making them relevant. Just look back at the loveable renegade in Thor, the pure hearted man-out-of-his-element Captain America, and the flawed Tony Stark. They are humans first, then beings with above human capabilities next.

The artwork is a blast from the past. Jim Lee’s art never held back on details. And that is quite obvious in Justice League. To a fault sometimes. The awkward paneling and excessive lines is like Chris Bachalo’s Steam Punk days. Impressive. But it doesn’t aid the storytelling.

Birthing pains are as constant as reboots. DC knows this the best. The first book has its flaws but it doesn’t mean it’s not a fun read. And if there’s one writer who can turn things around, it’s Geoff Johns. Justice League might have taken off with a shaky start but never discount its true worth – the first book of a potentially good series.

DC’s fight for relevance has just begun and it’s going to be a long battle. That in itself is a worthy plot to follow.

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Comic book review is also posted on azraelsmerryland.blogspot.com and toycon.ph

If your idea of Cinderella is the one by Walt Disney, you’ve got another chic coming.

after 12, her party is just getting started

Meet Cinderella, inter-realm spy of mystery.

Now, enough of the foolery and on to the review of…

Cinderella Fables Are Forever # 3

Fables are indeed forever. The idea of using fable characters in contemporary issues, setting and storytelling is not that new. One can even say, that Neil Gaiman has mastery over this realm of writing. But despite that, the idea of Cinderella as a super-spy is still quite intriguing. A fresh perspective and new wonder to revel in.

Three books in to this mini-series, Chris Roberson has the readers on the edge of their seats on what happens next to Cinderella and her nemesis, she-who-will-not-be-named-in-this-blog-to-avoid-spoilers. Book three builds on the momentum of flash backs set in motion by the second installment.

This is a series worth picking up. The storytelling is superb and the art matches the concept of fables set in contemporary background.

It is then awarded 4.5 dorks out of 5 dorks!

*Cinderella Fables are Forever is also a great foray for people looking for less commercialized comic books. It’s not on the indie field but it’s detached in a good way.

They gave him a 6 at IGN. Even though he gave them X number of dead bodies in one book.

Meet Nemesis. Millar’s latest psycho after Wanted and Kick-ass.

Critics are comparing the book to a typical Michael Bay film. They say it uses explosions and deaths to cover up for its lack of story. But just like any Bay film, I think the purpose of the book is to entertain and not change the status quo. And if we view Nemesis in that light, it did entertain and it did intrigue. I am excited to see if the top cop is going to die or is he’s going to beat the crazy guy in white. I ‘d like to find out what’s Nemesis reasons are. (maybe this is just me)

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I also got my New Avengers last night. Bendis was on cue with his ‘Lost’-like approach to story telling. He basically laid the back story of Luke Cage-Jessica Jones and Hawkeye-Mockingbird before the Siege battle took place. It was a good way to seed plots for life after Siege.

Mike McKone’s art was just fine. I missed Stuart Immonen’s touch though. The book makes for a good Siege tie-in.

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And also, Green Lantern # 52 is out this week. Go pick it up. It’s Geoff John’s perfect set-up for Blackest Night # 8. This book is so good it makes me want to say Marvel -1, DC – 1. Ha! (hold it Siege # 3 is kick-ass too)